28 people arrested in ‘drunk in public’ sweep in Encinitas

ENCINITAS— During a “zero tolerance drunk in public sweep,” 28 individuals were arrested in downtown Encinitas on the night of Nov. 21, according to a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department press release.

Twenty-one San Diego County sheriff deputies and ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) agents swept the downtown Encinitas area along Highway 101, “in response to requests for added enforcement in the area, based on community complaints ranging from quality of life issues to public drunkenness and fights,” said Lt. Rich Williams.

Individuals were arrested on charges including drunk in public, possession of a stolen vehicle and stolen property, possession of marijuana, and urinating in public.

Of the 28 people arrested, 13 were taken to jail, 12 for being drunk in public and one for vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Williams. The other 15 arrested individuals were cited and released.

The sweep was part of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Holiday Watch Operation, which is being funded by a $100,000 grant from the California Department of ABC, said Lt. Williams. The grant aims to make communities safer by promoting enforcement of alcohol related offenses and preventing youth access to alcohol.

The Holiday Watch program is sponsoring operations from Thanksgiving through the first week of January 2013.